Firstly, I love that you like Fiona Apple. That's awesome. You're awesome. She's awesome. We're all awesome! \o/

*cough*

Secondly, humans are shitty. Humans do shitty things. All the shitty things that happen to humans are pretty much directly linkable to the shitty things they do to the environment in the course of everyday life, and you are very very right to be concerned. Good luck with your paper - I'm sure you'll be scared out of your wits by the shittiness in the environment that we've put there surprised at what you find... :)